The Replacements- Here Comes a Regular (REACTION & REVIEW)

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

The Replacements are one of the 80s' great post-punk bands. They were great for a few reasons. First, they were much more stylistically diverse than the label post-punk would ever indicate. Their sound included everything from full-on post-punk to jangle pop to introspective ballads. They also had a first-class lyricist-poet in Paul Westerberg. On top of that, when they were sober enough to play well, they were an incredibly volatile, exciting live band. Saw them a couple of times, once on a very good night... They were unbelievably good. This album - Tim - is great. But I'd actually go back one release to Let It Be, which I consider to be the Mats' best ever. Still, Tim's a pretty great place to start.

[@michaelmaki7361]

I honestly think they were, not afraid, but skeptical of what success might bring.

[@eidetecker]

MATS were the greatest American band and this album is their perfect masterpiece. Just start at the beginning of 'Tim' and go through 'em one by one. God, I love that band.

[@StephenBurk42]

Amen. Then there is watching this ding-dong nod his head unknowingly and without irony to the lyric "I used to live at the home now I stay at the house...'

[@chicagoviking1]

The Replacements are my favorite band. They generally play just great rock and roll, alternative rock, upbeat and ragged at times. The fact that they could also pull off this type of tune and lyrics made them different than other alt rock bands. Paul Westerberg lead singer songwriter is one of the best.

[@burmajones803]

Westerberg is a great lyricist. One of the best of the 80s. You did a really good reading of the lyrics. This tune hits hard. I've been listening to it for 35 years and it still kicks. To me one of the saddest lyrics are in the 2nd pre-chorus when he says, "everybody wants to be someone's here/someone's gonna show up never fear." Nobody's showing up, probably, and everyone knows it. And yet they hope. Or are they self-deceiving? Man, I love Westerberg. My favorite songwriter.

[@piershollott339]

Couldn't agree more. There are moments in Paul's lyrics where he's up there with other great American poets like Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Tom Waits. For instance "First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow / Turn your back on a pay-you-back last call / First the glass, then the leaves that pass, then comes the snow / Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall..." That's just pure poetry.

[@Thatgirl1973]

Yes!

[@puppyfan]

The Replacements - a band that unerringly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Their biography “Trouble Boys” by Bob Mehr is akin to being punched in the face by a misery kangaroo.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, man. It’s a tough read.

[@leeshort1258]

Thanks for taking the time to react to this. As others have noted, many of the band's other songs are faster paced, many of the earlier songs qualify as full-on punk. This song won't wow you with musical complexity or instrumental virtuousity. You could give it to 100 singers, and 99 of those versions would indeed be tedious. But Paul Westerberg is not an average singer: he sings this song like he damn well means it, in a way that few others can match. The emotion he puts into it is what elevates the song from the mundane. Which brings me to another point: the folks that found this song flat -- if you were listening to it on your computer speakers from youtube, you should give it a listen on something that will do a better job of reproducing the timbre of his voice. You might still find it boring, but it might make a difference in your appreciation. Might not, either, and that's fine. One final note: for "not much to rake anyway in the fall" -- in Minneapolis in the fall, there are leaves *everywhere*. My take on the line is that it's a bit of sad, self-deprecating, black humor about how you can rationalize your own behavior. And his vocal tone is that of bitter resignation, because he doesn't want to do the same thing next year, but knows that he will.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

This is one of my favorite bands. Paul Westerberg is a great songwriter.

[@notabritperse]

Oh, HELL, yeah!!! This is a fine, beautiful, sloppy rabbit hole to test out. A phenomenal band that never lost sight of the importance of career-derailing self-sabotage. From the same album, but louder, try Left of the Dial or Little Mascara. Also, the fact that you've never heard The Replacements fills me with ... jealousy. I would LOVE to hear them for the first time again.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Great band. Lots of great songs. This is a pretty eclectic album. Give it a go. These guys are a rock band

[@johnramsell8078]

Every once in awhile, scruffy musicians like Brian Wilson with The Beach Boys, Alex Chilton with Big Star, Kurt Cobain with Nirvana, and in this case Paul Westerberg with The Replacements, bash away making cool noisy sounds until slowly, quietly, people start to realize that these artists are writing some of the best songs of their generation. This was the beginning of that for Paul Westerberg. Absolutely incredible song.

[@burmajones803]

This is the somber side of the 'Mats and lead songwriter Paul Westerberg. This one is a great evocation of a certain type of Midwestern barfly. I grew up in a bar and recognize the type of man narrating this one. Coulda been my dad, even. For something more upbeat, try I Will Dare, Alex Chilton, or from that same album, try Little Mascara, Bastards of Young, or Hold My Life. They are a Faces/Stones/Mott/Big Star-inspired rock and roll band. They called themselves power trash.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, this song pretty much was me for 20-25 years.

[@unkindestcut]

The Replacements “Let It Be” album is the place to start with the ‘Mats…

[@piershollott339]

I love your take on this song, and you'll find lots of Replacements songs that sound punchier, like "Never Mind" or "Alex Chilton" from Pleased to Meet Me, "Favorite Thing" or "I Will Dare" from Let It Be, "Bastards of Young", "Waitress In the Sky", or "Blue Mascara" from Tim... but maybe before you do, check out a few more songs like "Skyway", "Swinging Party", "Within Your Reach", "Unsatisfied"... they're songs that might just hurt a little bit. "Left of the Dial" from Tim. "Unsatisfied" from Let it Be. Then just go through all of Pleased To Meet Me track by track. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@andyhula3512]

I would love to see you react to more! Try "Can't Hardly Wait", the whole Let It Be album lol, and more songs from Tim like "Little Mascara", "Kiss Me On The Bus", "Bastards Of Young", "Left Of The Dial", "Hold My Life", and "Swingin Party". Lyrics use great metaphors, and very empathetic but also silly and immature at times but tongue-in-cheek. Like a punk/classic rock combination. Just a great band, and all their albums have something going for them. Big influence on other artists also.

[@noseeyou]

Context ! Yes, absolutely. This band captured the imagination of the jaded, disaffected post-punk crowd. They never realized much chart success, but people that gave them a real listen were usually Satisfied. The Replacements barfed up the sounds of the 70's through a punk filter, smeared with Westerberg's world-weary lyrics. Genre-bending, alternately silly and serious, they refused to be pinned down. As others have said, worthy of a deep dive.

[@jasonbrandt5504]

Kinda like REM...guitar, jangle pop. Harder at times. Straight forward but lead singer Paul W makes it his own. This type of song is not what they are known for. It's slow and nice enough but their faster tracks are indi pop bliss. Alex Chilton great place to begin from Pleased to Meet. One of their better known tracks and reflects their sound. Can't Hardly Wait also a great one.

[@thoru4367]

More like The Smiths

[@stevej3435]

Greatest rock band ever.

[@grywusiewicz]

This song reminds of a guy in a bar with nothing look back on or forward to.

[@falcongal63]

As a fan of the Replacements and of this song I agree with others that have said it might not the best introduction to them. I, like the requester, think it’s beautiful in it’s own way, but it works best as a counterpoint to close out the album after several hard rocking songs. (Though my favorite acoustic song from them is Skyway.) For a taste of their rockier side try Can’t Hardly Wait, Bastards of the Young, or Left of the Dial.

[@thasrite1]

Check out Left of the Dial and Bastards of Young off this album. They have so many great songs... I Will Dare, Can't Hardly Wait, We'll Inherit the Earth, I'll Be You. Westerberg's solo material is stellar...one of the best rabbit holes to go down.

[@andyhula3512]

The bassist, Tommy Stinson, is a talented songwriter also. The Bash & Pop album "Friday Night Is Killing Me" is a good listen, and so is Paul Westerberg's first solo album "14 Songs". Both from 1993. They are a band worth obsessing over if you are so inclined.

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

Replacement was like Johnny Thunders and big star the absolute best example of 70s depressed punks. All suffered by to much of something . I saw thunder in Oslo , it was amazing even if he was at end of the road almost . All 3 true genius in reflecting the true feeling in life when its not ok

[@s.collintuck3227]

This was your first Replacements? What a quiet melody to start with! But the ennui and angst still shines through! I look forward to you barreling through "Pleased To Meet Me". On a slight tangent; The Jazz Butcher gives the English outlook on late-20's drinking second-thoughts. Eighties jangle-pop with silly wordplay, and angst on the cusp of regret! Take a listen to "Nothing Special" or "The Human Jungle". In the words of the immortal Father Guido Sarducci, "You won't regret it for long!"

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Might be my favorite post punk band good stuff love you

[@charrid56maclean]

Great reaction. I haven't heard this song in forever and I actually teared up. To me this song about an irresponsible alcoholic. The thirst. The excuses. The drinking buddy who supports your drinking. The bit about the leaves is another excuse cuz the fall is when all the leaves come down. Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall is just a lie. Yeah this definetly only part of the replacements. This album, Tim, is probably their best. Try left of the dial or waitress in the sky for more representative sound

[@sideline5519]

The Replacements are top notch. Many many great songs. And with great imagery. Hard and soft. Pride of Minneapolis MN. The did everything they could to fail at achieve great commercial success. I love their no effort videos and mix of great shows and complete drunken disasters. The early 80's in Minneapolis was fantastic for a music scene.

[@jeremyb5640]

Great song. I'd argue this more than stands alone although, as you say, it's a perfect closer. The raw vulnerability of Paul's vocal is really appropriate for this tragic tale. Try their track 'Alex Chilton' for another side of them - a tribute to Alex Chilton of the band Big Star, the most influential band you've never heard of and who should have been huge in the early seventies. Thankfully Chilton lived long enough to be revered by the likes of REM, Teenage Fanclub, the Replacements, the Bangles, Lemonheads, Gin Blossoms, the dB's, Wilco, Jayhawks and so many more. Check out Big Star albums '#1 Record' and 'Radio City' - fantastic examples of power pop at its finest. I saw a Big Star tribute gig at the Barbican in London about 10 years ago put together by the only surviving member of the band, drummer Jody Stephens. The amount of talent on that stage was testament to just how influential Chilton and the others were. Ray Davies from the Kinks was there, Mike Mills from REM, Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub and many more. Try 'September Gurls', 'Thirteen' or 'The Ballad of El Goodo', perhaps the most easily accessible tracks, or just put on '#1 Record' and 'Radio City' and enjoy. The official story of the band, the documentary 'Nothing Can Hurt Me' should also be available on Netflix.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Wot no Posies?! Frosting on the Beater Dear 23 : 90s Classics

[@daveking9393]

Daniel casually mentioned he was checking these folks out and liked them during a live stream... Never got around to checking them out. Thanks. Enjoyed your reaction. Tune eh... Never watched Cheers???? Missing out on a pop culture iconic experience.. series had it's moments but they might have kept it going longer than it should have been...

[@andyhula3512]

The Replacements are one of the best/my favorite bands of all time. They have great songs, great style. Very arrogant but self-deprecating at the same time. Funny you mention Cheers - George Wentz was a huge fan and used to hang out with them. They have so many great albums/songs and quite a variety of atmospheres they evoke. Great reaction!

[@Kevvinm]

Hold my Life from this album and Can’t Hardly Wait from Pleased to Meet Me are my recommendations. They were considered punk earlier in their career.

[@courtneywallace871]

This was one of the favorite bands of a guy I considered my best friend for many years. I still don’t fully understand why he won’t communicate with me anymore. It’s been many years. I guess life and people change. STILL miss him. Many thanks as always, Justin!

[@Jason_Taverner]

Drinking, depression, and loneliness sometimes lead a person to do things they wish they could undo but don't know how.

[@tdstone]

One of my favorite bands of all time. This is very strange song to start with (not your fault!) but Bastards of Young or Left of the Dial from Tim would be great. Unsatisfied, Androgynous or I Will Dare from Let It Be. Alex Chilton or I.O.U. From Pleased To Meet Me. Hope to hear much more.

[@maruad7577]

I have heard and liked "I will dare" and "Unsatisfied". I like this. I don't know if I would buy it but it is good. They don't have to be an alcoholic. They just have nothing else to look forward to in their life.

[@ragoodvin44]

Hi. I like seeing this era of American alt. here. Someone else to consider is Camper Van Beethoven. Maybe the two opening tracks EYE OF FATIMA 1&2 from Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart. Or an earlier gem is GOOD GUYS AND BAD GUYS

[@Jason_Taverner]

two of my all-time favorite records.

[@TZ61]

As one who knows this song on an intimate level, I've always heard it as a growing list of rationalizations and the desperate loneliness that can be a result. You don't often stop and think that one day you're going to be that "crazy old guy" until you are. I see that you reacted to this about a year ago; but don't see much in the way of follow-up with this band. Not too late.

[@hongchen2554]

Good reaction. The essence of the 'Mats is their "shambolic majesty". To "get" this band, it's useful to juxtapose one of their punk-fueled toss-offs (e.g., "Customer", "Shiftless When Idle", their drunken cover of "Hey Good Lookin'") with tracks like this, "Unsatisfied", "Within Your Reach", "Sadly Beautiful".

[@mojorider8455]

Love the Replacements! One of the best indie bands in that post punk era. Westerberg is a fantastic songwriter, capable of bashing out loud rock and roll and then pulls on your heart with a poignant song like this.

[@glennlashart131]

So glad you've sampled The Replacements. I would recommend listening to the first song on side 2, "Bastards of Young." I'd been meaning to recommend them to you for a while, as I've been enjoying your reactions and The Mats are my favorite band. I also recommend "I Will Dare" from Let It Be. I like the original and eclectic mix of songs you react to, particularly Tom Waits Rain Dogs and Klaatu.

[@samgilton3850]

one of the greatest records of all time by one of the greatest bands of all time

[@sylvanm4216]

One of the great rock bands, and one I slept on for far too many years. I agree with you, this is a weird one to hear in isolation. Not a song I would recommend as your first Mats song. It's *so* restrained, from a band that usually is quite the opposite. Their album Let It Be is a desert island disc, and I would recommend starting with track 1 of that album ("I Will Dare") and then just keep going. But you could do the same with Tim, which is also great in its own way.

[@Nimno74]

The whole album is phenomenal.

[@stevemd6488]

JP you gotta do Alex Chilton by these guys. Trust me.

[@leftybass5860]

Seconded !

[@Debonair19773577]

While one of the 'Mats best tunes, the bone-chillingly stark tale of a barfly's ennui was probably not the best place to start. Try "Hold My Life," "I Will Dare," "Bastards of Young," and "Alex Chilton" for a more accurate representation.

[@lucianoteixeira7993]

Beautiful song, one of the best from that great band. Tim is a great intro to their sound, but Let It Be is arguably their masterpiece, top 10 album from the 80s. A must listen. And, like others said, this track is very unusual compared to their "regular" kind of sound.

[@Azabaxe80]

This is a weird choice to introduce yourself to the Mats. What follows is not hyperbole. When people talk about Kurt Cobain being a genius, I answer with "What should we make of Paul Westerberg then?" I don't think Cobain went out of his way to sound like Westerberg, in fact he was pretty defensive about the comparisons, but in '91 I couldn't keep myself from thinking of how derivative of the Mats Nirvana seemed. If you're thinking that what I just wrote makes little sense, then watch the video for 1989's "I'll Be You", the Mats' most blatantly commercial release.

[@tjames4025]

Tim just recently was recently remixed. I have been listening to this album for thirty years, I can't believe the revelation that is the Ed Stasium mix.

[@kylewoolsey6635]

Geez, Justin! Just go for it, front to back! Tim is a great record. Bastards of Young is a banger! Swinging Party is another tear-jerker. Don't waste your time with the Lorde cover, though.

[@burmajones803]

That cover by Lorde wrings all the humor and self deprecation out of the song. The song is supposed to, er, swing. Lorde's version is turgid. At least she helped Westerberg make a pile of cash.

[@Nimno74]

Good choice. Amazing track. Loved it when I heard it as a kid. Wasn't until decades later that I truly understood it.

[@ragoodvin44]

Drivin 'n Cryin's "Ain't Waitin on Tomorrow" is another everyman poetry gem of song writing, and it's a jam too.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

At the end of the album, they ran out of tunes and this was The Replacement! Seriously Paul Westerberg writes a plethora of "different" songs, this is not representative of their style. Worth diving into his catalogue. Peace.

[@rdrrr]

Hey man, great reaction. Your read on the lyrics is pretty much perfect. If you want to see a different side to the Replacements, try "Little Mascara", off the album "Tim". That one's more of a melodic rock song. The lyrics are beautiful, touching, and sad in an understated way.

[@JustJP]

Thank you rdrrr :)

[@thannaske5371]

As long as we're delving into "The Minneapolis Sound," how about paying some attention to Husker Du? "Divide and Conquer" would be my starting point there...

[@kevtruth]

Yeah this is a good tune, but not representative of this band. The Replacements usually roar through rowdy, rocking 3 to 4 minute songs, which set up their ballads beautifully

[@TokiDoki-jt3of]

The replacements have so many good songs.. this one is surprising that you are playing. But I'm happy you did

[@sideline5519]

"Bastards of young" for the other side of loud but emotional. Or "Take me down to the hospital" for punk nonsense.

[@musicaddict5076]

This is in my top five from them and they are a top ten band for me. Criminally underrated.

[@DrRoger]

More replacements!

[@shacharh5470]

Look up their song "I Will Dare", Thank me later.

[@Drummingvulture]

Saw these guys numerous times in the early eighties, each time opening for X. All but one time they were great. But once, alcohol really ruined the show. Once, while bopping to the 'Mats, I turned around and there were John Doe and Exene of X standing right behind me. I smiled at them, they smiled back, and we continued digging The Replacements. I'm a huge fan of their first two releases, not so much of anything after their punk phase. I'm not saying they got "bad", they just took a path that I'm not, personally, into.

[@GatileoGatilei]

Holy! glad i found you again!

[@JustJP]

Ello there! :)

[@Thatgirl1973]

Their draw for me has never been about the music, it’s always been about the lyrics. That’s not to say the music isn’t good. It always sets the perfect mood for the songs, but the lyrics (and PW voice) are the gem!

[@heyskipj]

Agreed. Wouldn’t you start off with something like Alex Eiffel or Bastards of Young?

[@matthewschiavi7353]

Theme song for living in a withering blue collar town.

[@stevej3435]

Not "post punk". Orginal punk band

[@brewstergallery]

Jeezus Fffff. The Replacements started out red hot tuneful punk rock and a breath of fresh air from Mini Apple Loss. The albums that are essential to me are Stink, Sorry Ma I forgot to Take out The Trash, Pleased to Meet Me although Jim Dickson and his reverb obsession overdid the production and forgot that amazing Tommy Stinson and his bass was in the band, Hootenanny has Run It and You Lose, Let it Be has I Will Dare Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out...The later shit like Tim and All Shook Down are so bland it just hurts me. C'mon early 'Mats is where it's at not second rate REM

[@burmajones803]

Early 'Mats, even though Pleased to Meet Me was 2 years after after Tim?

[@brewstergallery]

@@burmajones803 I guess I consider it early, mistakenly of course, because they recaptured that early vibe again..then they put out albums of bad Tom Petty after that with a few exceptions. The industry and egos will do that to even the best bands.

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

I'm with you.

[@darrellwhitman4756]

Great song but not great for the first song to hear from the band. The band isn't really on it. It's a Westerberg acoustic solo. Showcases his great lyric writing.

[@artis1969]

You should watch Cheers. 😎

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

It’s a punk garage band!

[@TokiDoki-jt3of]

Try Portishead , Roads

[@nealeger8154]

I think "Alex Chilton" would have been a better first impression of The Replacements. This one's kind of a 'skipper' for me.

[@dragonan5674]

Kind of reminiscent of Neil Young

[@michaelathens137]

A nice song?

[@PatheticHero]

...am I the only one who feels ashamed

[@-davidolivares]

Bit of a snoozefest but I know they have way better songs.

[@jfergs.3302]

Jeez... never heard of them, and if this is the norm, nor would I care to hear any more. A deathly dull, 3 chord repetitive dirge. I genuinely had trouble keeping my eyes open through this paltry piece..... PS. 'and this must be a really good album cos the (faked, hyped') reviews say so' wow....

[@jaybird4093]

When I saw the thumbnail, I had an idea of what to expect. Then I read your comment and that confirmed my thoughts. Then I listened, and it was worse than I imagined. “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” along with the other 10,000 songs that use that chord progression came to mind. 🥱

[@jfergs.3302]

@@jaybird4093 Aye, startlingly original it was not. And their sound... reading the blurb it's all they're punk, power punk, alternate rock... I think the wiki guys got them mixed up with another band... This was more like Val Doonican 🙂

[@notabritperse]

@@jfergs.3302 No, I think the Wiki guys listened to more than one song from a band with six great albums, a few others, zero high school diplomas, and enough alcoholic-low-self-esteem-humor to name a live album "The Shit Hits the Fans."

[@burmajones803]

​@@jfergs.3302 yeah, try listening to more than one song, why don'cha? Because your comment is basically the textbook illustration of the old adage, "better to keep my mouth shut and have people think I know nothing than to open it and prove them right."

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Wow. Just wow🤦‍♂️